Words of Advice from CSL Instructors

Deanna Williamson, HECOL 301, Fall 2024

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

A program planning course has been taught in Human Ecology for decades. When CSL programming was initiated at UofA, it was clear that the course aligns with CSL.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

In HECOL 301, students develop programs that are needed by/fill a gap in programming at non-profit organizations. Organizations can use the final product developed by students to broaden their program offerings. The opportunity for students to apply course content to develop a "real" program for a "real" organization tends to inspire, excite, and engage students in their learning experience far more than if their learning was confined to the classroom space. As a result, they tend to develop valuable programming knowledge and skills that they will be able to use in a variety of professional settings.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

I've loved teaching a CSL course. Although a CSL course can be more work than a traditional classroom-based course, the mutual learning and meaningful outcomes experienced by students and community partners are worth the effort and extra work!

David Peacock, CSL 350, Fall 2024

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

I love it! It's the only way to teach!

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

Students work collectively to contribute to real organizational needs, often connected in some way to making our community more just and inclusive

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

Dive in, you won't regret it. It may well be the only thing you remember from your undergraduate degree in 25 years!

Webb Dussome, MARK 455/655, Fall 2024 + Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

I have worked or volunteered in the not for profit sector for many years, and wanted to integrate community projects into my courses.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

Our students provide these organizations with expertise that they lack (e.g. social media marketing). These projects provide our students first experiential learning opportunities.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

It's a great way to learn about community service and is a meaningful experience.

Jay Friesen, CSL 100 - Fall 2024, CSL 200, Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

As an instructor, it amazes me how much I end up learning from students and partners—I think that’s what keeps me involved. CSL continuously feeds my curiosity and creates a space where everyone learns together.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

One of the coolest parts of CSL is seeing students come back in a different role—this time as partners and mentors, supporting new students at the same organizations they once did placements with. It feels like a natural continuation of the learning process, and it really speaks to the kinds of relationships CSL helps build.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

It’s not supposed to go smoothly. In fact, placements are meant to have hiccups, surprises, and moments that don’t quite go as planned—that’s actually the whole point. Expect these challenges, lean into them, and rely on your community of support, because those unexpected moments are exactly where the most meaningful learning takes place.

Hassan Masoud, PHIL 125, Fall 2024 + Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

I looked at it as an opportunity for my students. I thought they would gain valuable experience working with individuals outside the university environment. For many students, this might be their first opportunity to attend meetings and fulfill responsibilities beyond academic coursework. These experiences would contribute to their personal and professional growth, enhancing their understanding of collaboration and civic engagement.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

The community partners provided projects related to their strategies, fundraising policies, and public outreach efforts. My students applied the course’s core concepts—such as argument analysis and the evaluation of definitions—to these real-world projects. The course content proved instrumental in helping refine the strategies and policies of the community partners.

CSL placements allowed students to apply course concepts and techniques to practical, real-world scenarios.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

Just take it seriously and spend enough time on it, and reflect on it. Reflection in this regard would be enriching, as it would help understand the course material better and find ways to apply the core concepts of the course to some real-life project.

Randi Nixon, CSL 100, Fall 2024 + Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

Opportunities for students to make connections with folks outside of the UofA and to better understand the complex realities of social issues discussed in class.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

I hope a positive and lasting one!

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

Make the most of it, because 20 hours flies by!

Sara Dorow (Soc 418) and Michelle Maroto (Soc 415), Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

We have both been engaged in community-engaged learning in various ways over many years. We both value the marriage of social and pedagogical value that CSL affords, including and especially for learning social research methods.

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

The work of the students on a research project of direct relevance to the community organization contributes practical data and insight for the organization. At the same time, it exposes students to real-life application of methodological skill and also to the realities of non-profit organizational work.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

Community-partnered class projects are a rich way to bring your learning to life. Embrace the opportunity!

Ken Caine, SOC 291, Winter 2025

What was it about the CSL program that struck a chord with you and inspired your involvement with CSL?

I love the fact that students have the opportunity to work with grass roots environmental organizations on socio-environmental topics that we cover in class

How does collaborating with CSL students enhance the work in non-profit organizations, and what impact does it have on their learning?

They have a chance to not only work on projects meaningful to the partner organizations, but they also reflect on their experiences.

What advice or words of wisdom can you impart to the next set of CSL cohorts?

Experiential learning is all about taking a leap to work on new projects and with new organizations that will not only enhance your real learning, but also make connections and open doors for you!

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